Hong Kong aims to host fairs on robotics, yachts and small jets – events never before held in the city – to cement its status as an international exhibition hub and attract big spenders, the commerce minister has said.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah on Sunday said the push was in response to the HK$100 million (US$12.78 million) budgeted to “attract large international exhibitions with new elements to Hong Kong”.

Yau said the government was brainstorming with international organisers to bring fairs that “Hong Kong has never hosted before”.

“For example, with robots everywhere nowadays, could we organise a robotics exhibition? When we talk about the yacht economy, could we host a yacht show?” he told a radio programme.

“A motor show would need a very large venue to showcase different types of vehicles. We could also consider whether a small aircraft exhibition is possible.”

Yau said the more large-scale fairs the city hosted, the more economic benefits they would bring to the aviation, tourism and catering industries.